hanukkah

Tonight is the first night of Chanukah, and to keep your holiday extra sweet and delicious throughout the next eight days, we’ve collected some of our favorite Jewish recipes with a twist. So let bubbe know her workload is lightened this year, grab your biggest frying pan and get to work. There are candles to be lit!

Last week, we asked our Facebook fans if and how they’ll be celebrating “Thanksgivukkah,” the hybrid holiday of Thanksgiving and Hanukkah. Many of you said you WILL be taking advantage of this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, since the next time the two holidays will overlap won’t be for almost 78,000 years! You gave us some really creative and tasty ideas, but if you’re still looking for that perfect Thanksgivukkah dish, consider this our gift to you: Three side dish recipes that perfectly pair Thanksgiving food with traditional Jewish fare.

You’ve heard of Christmasukkah, right? Well this year, prepare for the epic holiday mashup known as Thanksgivingukkah. This year Hanukkah occurs on November 27, the evening before Thanksgiving–which means the second night of Hanukkah actually falls on Turkey Day! This rare occurrence (the last time these two holidays collided was in 1888) poses a conundrum for Jewish Americans. The solution? Thanksgivingukkah! Already there are websites devoted to this faux holiday, including an online store where you can buy a menorah shaped like a turkey (called a menurkey, appropriately), t-shirts, aprons and posters.

For foodies, it’s an especially exciting moment. While traditional Hanukkah fare spans latkes (potato pancakes), brisket and fried doughnuts, Thanksgiving is known for its sweet potatoes, turkey and stuffing. So what should you serve at your Thanksgivingukkah feast? Here are a few menu suggestions:

Whether you celebrate Hanukkah or not, the holiday season is a perfect time for potato latkes. They’re basically a blank canvas for a myriad of flavors and toppings. So whether you like sweet or savory, traditional or something different, here are three quick tips that’ll take you from latke novice to potato pancake pro:

Oil Check

Test the oil’s temp by dropping in a tiny bit of latke batter. It should sizzle but not burn. If the oil starts to smoke, turn the heat down. No sizzle? Crank it up a bit. As you cook, you may need to keep adjusting the heat.

Flat-Out Delicious

Dollop the latke batter into the hot oil, then flatten with a metal spatula. An even latke will cook up crispy on the outside and tender on the inside.